SC summons NBP president

ISLAMABAD - The Supreme Court Wednesday summoned National Bank of Pakistan President Qamar Hussain with regard to contempt of court proceedings as the bank failed to comply with the court orders pertaining to restoration of its employees.A three-member SC bench, headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and comprising Justice Khilji Arif Hussain and Justice Tariq Parvez, heard contempt of court proceedings.Muhammad Farooq Mehta, counsel for NBP, appeared before the court and presented two cheques of Rs1.5 million and Rs2 million for two employees, who were not restored in pursuance of the court orders.The NBP president and Multan regional chief were directed to appear before the court on Thursday (today) at their own expenses.The petitioners, Muhammad Abid Qureshi and Arif Khan, were appointed against the permanent post of godown watchman in the NBP Multan region on January 1988 and October 1989 respectively but their services had not been regularised.The petitioners moved the apex court which ordered the NBP to regularise/absorb them in service with effect from September 21, 2004 and issued appointment letters to them within a month and their previous services must be counted towards retirement/pension benefits.In the proceedings, Muhammad Shoaib Shaheen, counsel for the petitioners told the bench that court orders were not honoured.NBP’s counsel Muhammad Farooq Mehta appeared before the bench with cheques of two different amounts and tried to convince the bench that it was a bonafide mistake and not intentional. He tendered an unconditional apology on behalf of the NBP president.However, the Chief Justice observed that it was a classic case and asked for the name of the person who did not obey the court orders till 11:30am.The CJP added that the individuals who did not implement the apex court decisions in 2004 would face proceedings.Justice Tariq Pervaz remarked, “We are ashamed that the bank did not pay the due amount for over a decade.”Justice Khilji Arif Hussain said the court would not permit wastage of public funds.”The CJP admonished Mehta, saying that the bench was issuing notices to NBP president who will bring the contemnor before the court on Thursday (today), upon which Mehta requested not to summon the president because all procedures were overseen by the regional chief concerned.However, the CJP summoned the NBP president and Multan regional chief to explain the reasons (as to) why the court verdict was not observed. The bench adjourned hearing till March 15.